As the third mystery prepares for release, the franchise creator confirms his enthusiasm to continue the adventures of Detective Benoit Blanc—and hints at a return to the big screen.
Just as the third installment, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, inches closer to its highly anticipated release, franchise creator Rian Johnson has dropped a massive clue about the future of his whodunnit saga.
Speaking to THR, Johnson confirmed that he and star Daniel Craig are already “starting to formulate” ideas for a potential fourth film, cementing the fact that Detective Benoit Blanc’s work is far from over.
“Creatively, I feel energized after making this one. Daniel and I are already starting to formulate… what could the next one be if we do another one?”
Unlike other long-running franchises that can spiral into formulaic territory, Johnson is enthralled by the challenge of bringing something completely fresh to each new entry, a creative vitality that directly fuels the continuation.
“I don’t feel burnt out doing these at all… So as long as audiences want to keep seeing it, and Daniel and I are still having fun making them and still feel like we can come up with stuff that feels not just fresh, but a fresh challenge for us, I think that’ll translate to a new experience for the audience.”
The End of an Era: A Return to Theaters?
What makes the prospect of a fourth movie particularly thrilling is its potential to mark the IP’s return to traditional theatrical runs.
The original Knives Out (2019) was a box-office smash with a traditional wide release. However, the sequels, Glass Onion and the upcoming Wake Up Dead Man, were produced under a massive two-sequel deal with Netflix, leading to limited theatrical screenings before their primary streaming debuts.
Johnson has previously spoken out against Netflix’s policies, advocating strongly for the communal theatrical experience. Critically, his original deal with Netflix expires after Wake Up Dead Man. This could allow the franchise to break free of streaming confinements for future entries.
Given how commercially viable these movies have proven to be, it’s a near certainty that multiple studios would be delighted to incorporate the IP into their catalog, ultimately opening the door for a more traditional, wider release window similar to the first film.
Even if Netflix extends their deal—which is possible given the franchise’s popularity and the streamer’s own recent, albeit limited, branching into the theatrical model (as seen with both the Stranger Things finale and Wake Up Dead Man theatrical windows)—a guarantee of a proper, wide theatrical run for Knives Out 4 is highly likely to be a non-negotiable term for Johnson and Craig.
For fans of the big-screen experience, the idea of a new Benoit Blanc mystery playing in full-size cinemas is the perfect next step for the acclaimed franchise.
Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery is set to debut in select theaters on November 26, 2025, before premiering on Netflix on December 12, 2025.
